Alaska Ice Cream
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ice production, Ice cream manufacturing |
| Founded | 1879 |
| Founder | Logan, Weber, Barnfield, Lawrance, and others |
| Headquarters | Thebarton , Australia |
| Products | Ice, starch, cornflour, "Alaska" ice cream |
Adelaide Crystal Ice Company was a South Australian enterprise specializing in ice production, established in 1879. The firm expanded into "Alaska" ice cream manufacturing in 1915 and subsequently founded the Alaska Ice Cream Company in 1922.
History
Founded in 1879 by Logan, Weber, Barnfield, Lawrance, and others, the company initially installed American-made ice production equipment at their location within the former Ebenezer Chapel near Rundle Street. Originally based in Adelaide, the business relocated its machinery to Thebarton in 1881, boosting output capacity to 50 tons weekly.
In 1880, Adelaide Crystal Ice Company acquired a competitor and sold its refrigeration equipment to a Queensland meat processing firm. To maintain employment during the slower winter maintenance intervals, the company diversified early on by producing related goods such as starch and cornflour from 1885 onward.
A new plant was inaugurated in 1898 at West Thebarton, featuring advanced machinery imported from Halle. This upgrade allowed daily ice output of 40 tons and enabled a one-third reduction in prices. Although a fire in 1910 damaged storage facilities, the company continued as a leading supplier within a seller’s market, maintaining strong profitability. Its main rival, Adelaide Ice and Cold Storage Works located at Light Square, was acquired by the South Australian Government in 1910 but later operated as a contractor supplying ice to Crystal.
In 1915, Crystal commenced production of "Alaska" ice cream, entering a competitive market that included established players such as S. Albert (operating since 1883), Edwin Ellis (linked with Peters Ice Cream from 1914), along with others like A. Williams and Felice Maggi. Later competitors such as Amscol and Golden North appeared in 1923 and 1953 respectively.
By 1922, Alaska Ice Cream was established as an independent company headquartered on Queen Street, Thebarton. It secured manufacturing rights for the "Eskimo Pie" confectionery in 1923. In 1929, Alaska Ice Cream merged with Interstate Fruit and Produce Company and Broken Hill Ice and Produce Company to create Peters Alaska Ice Cream Company, retaining that name until a legal dispute prompted renaming to Alaska Ice Cream and Produce Company Limited in 1932. A new office facility was constructed on Beans Road, Thebarton in 1953. Leonard Maurice Hocking held the position of long-serving managing director, while T. E. Malone served as chairman.
In 1930, Crystal joined forces with the Government Produce Depot and Amscol under chairman W. D. Price to form the "Clear Ice Service," a government-controlled monopoly that provided standardized ice blocks and ice chests produced by Chittleborough and Company or manufactured by consumers themselves. Demand for ice experienced considerable fluctuations; for example, extreme heatwaves such as that of March 1930 depleted reserves, necessitating rationing. Storage capacity peaked around 1944 but declined as household refrigerators became widespread and home delivery services ended around 1960.
Both Adelaide Crystal Ice Company and Alaska Ice Cream have since ceased operations. The former factory site at Hindmarsh has been redeveloped into part of University Research Park, with one building renamed "Alaska Towers."
Some individuals
Vinrace Lawrance (16 January 1833 – 5 September 1922) was a distinguished accountant based in Adelaide, a member of the Stock Exchange, and served as secretary for A.C.I.C. He had a strong connection to the mining sector and was known for his collection of remarkable crystalline gold samples. In 1861, he wed Elizabeth Binney and resided in North Adelaide.
Wilhelm "William" Weber JP (circa 1837 – 17 December 1909), originally from Darmstadt, arrived in Australia in 1855. He established icemaking enterprises in Bendigo (1876) and Adelaide (1878), collaborating with partners such as J. M. Wendt and J. B. Neales Jr., and later played a founding role in A.C.I.C. Remaining unmarried throughout his life, he also held the mayoral office of Thebarton for three terms.
George Frank Richards (around 1883 – 7 January 1924), son of Frank Richards and Matilda Weber (sister to Wilhelm Weber), took over management of A.C.I.C. circa 1910. He spearheaded the company’s expansion into ice cream production and introduced the "Eskimo Pie" following visits to the United States, thereby broadening the product range. Richards was actively involved in local sports organizations as a leader. He married Gertrude Ruby Reid in 1908 and lived in Woodville.
Thomas Barnfield (circa 1848 – 19 August 1931) served as chairman of the Crystal Ice Company board. He married Mary Ann Thomson in 1889 and made his home in Wasleys and later Medindie.
Hugh Logan was appointed as A.C.I.C.’s inaugural manager, arriving from America in 1878 and securing the lease on Ebenezer Chapel to conduct operations.
William B. Neales held the position of secretary in the year 1878.
Walter Davies Price MC (24 March 1886 – 29 July 1944), son of Premier Tom Price, began his career with the South Australian Government Lands Department in 1903. He assumed management of the Light Square iceworks from 1920 and was promoted to general manager in 1941. Price served as president of the South Australian division of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, chaired both the Ice Manufacturers' Association and Clear Ice Service, and took on leadership roles within the Returned and Services League following his commendable military service during World War I.